County Donegal Holiday Guide

County Donegal, part of
the province of Ulster, is located in the far north-west of the Republic of
Ireland. It shares its border with three counties in Northern Ireland —
Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh — and a short stretch to the south with
County Leitrim, also in the Republic.

If you like the savage beauty of nature then the
coastline of County Donegal will appeal to you. It
is rugged, wild and remote. Imposing cliffs tower — those at Slieve
League are said to be the sixth-highest in Europe — interspersed with
deserted sandy beaches ringed with rocky headlands. Malin
Head, on the Inishowen Peninsula, is the furthest north you can go on
mainland Ireland.

The coast is fractured with many fjord-like inlets
forming natural sea loughs such as Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. Inland, the
terrain is dominated by the Derryveagh Mountains to the north of the county and
the Bluestack
Mountains to the south.

Despite the wildness of the landscape, the climate is
surprisingly mild, thanks to the waters of the Gulf Stream.

Things to Do
in County Donegal

Doagh Famine Village, only half an hour from Derry by
road, is an absorbing exploration of the history of Ireland from the 1840s by
means of a series of displays housed in original thatched cottages. Glencolmcille
Folk Village, on the westernmost tip of County
Donegal, offers another glimpse into the harshness of rural life
in times gone by.

Described as one of the most beautiful castles in
Ireland, Glenveagh
is set in stunning scenery in a National Park and is a real treat of a day out.
Within the grounds, you can hire bikes or take a short bus trip from the
entrance up to the castle.

Of course, there is golf and fishing, surfing and
sailing but most of all, people are drawn to County
Donegal for its scenery.

The spectacular coastline, part of the Wild Atlantic
Way, has such places as the Bloody Foreland, so named not because of some
horrendous battle but because the rocks glow ruby-red at sunset. The vertical
cliffs of Horn Head, on Sheephaven Bay, are a sanctuary for breeding seabirds
and, on the windswept grasslands above, you can see Neolithic stone circles.
These are just two examples to be found in a wondrous area, where you could
drive, cycle, horse-ride or hike and be mesmerised by everything that catches
your eye.

Staying in
County Donegal

In the major settlements such as Donegal
Town and Letterkenny,
there is a fine range of hotels, guesthouses and B&B accommodation. Even in the more outlying areas, for example
the Inishowen Peninsula, the tourist market is well-catered for so you will
never be lost for a place to stay. There are some lovely self-catering cottages
to be found in breathtaking locations, too.

Getting to
County Donegal

Donegal has its own
airport, with flights to and from Dublin and Glasgow. Otherwise, Derry Airport
is around an hour and a half away by road.

Top Hotel Deals

Clanree Hotel

Derry Road, Letterkenny

4.3

of 5, from 552 reviews

4.0 out of 5.0

This family-friendly Letterkenny hotel is located near the airport, within 3 mi (5 km) of Letterkenny Golf Club and Donegal County Museum. Newmills Corn and Flax Mills and Beltany Stone Circle are also within 9 mi (15 km).

McGettigan's Hotel Letterkenny

100 Main Street, Letterkenny

4.1

of 5, from 557 reviews

3.0 out of 5.0

Situated near the airport, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Letterkenny Leisure Centre, Letterkenny Cathedral and Donegal County Museum. Letterkenny Town Park and Letterkenny Golf Club are also within 15 minutes.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny

Paddy Harte Road, Letterkenny

4.4

of 5, from 443 reviews

4.0 out of 5.0

This family-friendly Letterkenny hotel is located in the entertainment district, within a 15-minute walk of Letterkenny Golf Club and Letterkenny Cathedral. Letterkenny Town Park and Donegal County Museum are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Great Northern Hotel

Bundoran, Bundoran

3.9

of 5, from 86 reviews

4.0 out of 5.0

Situated in Bundoran, this golf hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Bundoran Golf Club, Bundoran Beach, and Bundoran Adventure Park. Bundoran Surf Company and Waterworld Bundoran are also within 10 minutes.

Station House Hotel

Lower Main Street, Letterkenny

4.3

of 5, from 151 reviews

3.0 out of 5.0

Situated in Letterkenny, this hotel is within 1 mile (2 km) of Letterkenny Cathedral, Letterkenny Leisure Centre and Letterkenny Golf Club. Donegal County Museum and Letterkenny Town Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Sandhouse Hotel

Killinangel Beg, Rossnowlagh

4.4

of 5, from 184 reviews

4.0 out of 5.0

This Rossnowlagh hotel is on the beach, 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from Rossnowlagh Beach, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Donegal Golf Club and Five Oaks Ranch. Bundoran Beach and Bundoran Golf Club are also within 12 miles (20 km).

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